WEST-E Social Studies Practice Test

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the WEST-E Social Studies Test with detailed study materials, flashcards, and multiple choice questions. Each question comes with hints and thorough explanations to ensure comprehensive understanding. Get exam-ready with our practice tests!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What was John Locke's major argument in Two Treatises of Civil Government?

Innate knowledge governs human behavior
Experience molds individual minds, not innate knowledge
All individuals are born violent and selfish
Government should not intervene in personal affairs

The correct answer is: Experience molds individual minds, not innate knowledge

John Locke’s major argument in "Two Treatises of Civil Government" centers around the concept that experience, rather than innate knowledge, shapes human perspectives and behavior. He posited that individuals are not born with pre-existing ideas or moral understandings; rather, they develop their thoughts, beliefs, and character through their experiences in the world. This view lays the foundation for his ideas about natural rights and the social contract, where he argued that governments derive their legitimacy from the consent of the governed and must protect the rights of individuals. Locke’s emphasis on experience is fundamental to his philosophy, aligning with the principles of empiricism that gained prominence during the Enlightenment. This belief in the formative role of experience underpins his arguments for education, personal development, and a government that reflects the will of the people, as each individual has the capacity to learn and grow based on their interactions within society.